We work on a variety of projects related to the genetics of obesity, type-2 diabetes, and related traits/diseases. Lately, we have used genome-wide SNP data along with phenotypic and lifestyle data from large prospective cohorts, such as the UK Biobank, the Framingham Heart Study and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.

We are particularly excited by how the links discovered between genotypes and phenotypes can shed light on disease pathogenesis, pleiotropic mechanisms, disease subtypes, heterogeneity across racial/ethnic groups, and gene-by-lifestyle interactions.

Genetics of Lipedema

In this Lipedema Foundation funded project we aim to identify genetic susceptibility factors for lipedema.

Genetics at the interface of lipid and glycemic traits

In this NIH-NHLBI funded R01, we are examining the genetic overlap of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with a special focus on genes that are positively associated with one but negatively associated with the other.

Genetics of physical activity

Physical activity is arguably one of the most important modifiable risk factors for many diseases, on par with smoking. We are looking into what genes are associated with the propensity to be physically active using both self-reported and accelerometer-based measures.